Skip to main content

Hi,
Im recording from desk line out to a cam corder mic in [with no option]
and need to make an attenuator in the chord to get a
useable level signal without distortion .

We havent had a listen in to our performances for some time
and i would hope our musicianship is improving, and of course
hear the crap that needs cutting ..

the camcorder is the handiest option for us to use .

Does anybody know the value of the resistors I need.?
I will attempt to make a t pad, I have made one a few years
back with the help of a friend that knew what to use .
I have looked at a few forums with diagrams, but alas,they
dont have the values unless you use the formulae, and Im crap at
maths,say no more . . unless theres intervals involved.

Comments

Codemonkey Mon, 06/01/2009 - 19:22

Err, [edit: not convinced I'm thinking straight :S] *blank* knows about this, he actually posted some values for a -15dB pad not too long ago.

It depends on the level you need to reduce it by, however.

I don't know the formula but I know maths... maybe you could hook me up and I'll try break it down for you.

Boswell Tue, 06/02/2009 - 03:14

What make and model of desk is it? Does it have an unbalanced 2-track recording output on RCA (phono) sockets? Those would be better to use for this job than line-level balanced XLR outs.

If you have the RCA outputs, get an RCA to 1/8" minijack stereo cable. Make a careful incision in it a few inches from the minijack end, leaving the screen intact but exposing the inner conductors. Cut the inner conductors and wire 10K resistors across the ends of the cut. Also wire 100 Ohm resistors from the inner conductor to screen on the minijack side of the cut. Use heat-shrink sleeving on the resistor leads if you have it to avoid short circuits, otherwise carefully wrap small pieces of insulating tape over the bare leads.

If your desk does not have RCA outputs, post back here and I'll re-work the instructions for balanced XLR outputs.

Boswell Wed, 06/03/2009 - 04:04

mark02131 wrote: You can buy a 1/8" patch cord (most likely the input size) of the camcorder that has an attenuator built on it.

If you are talking about [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.micropho…"]this[/]="http://www.micropho…"]this[/] type of adaptor lead, then the 20dB attenuation available is not enough for feeding a mixer's output into a camcorder's microphone input. Added to which, it is only mono. The recipe I gave in my previous post was for a stereo lead with 40dB attenuation.